Dear Sisters,
September is here and it always seems a little like the month to pause. We have finished with the busy summers filled with vacations, baseball, swimming, late nights, hot and humid days, and all the things that make summer. September seems like the time when the streets are empty during the day (I live near a school), the school buses are moving through the neighborhoods, and everything in my life seems to slow down a little. It only lasts a short time, though, because I am already seeing Christmas stuff in the stores!

I have been listening to the last General Conference talks as I walk in the morning and this morning I heard one that touched my heart. I would like to share part of it with you. The talk was given by Gregory A. Schwitzer of the Seventy.

We live in a world in which many situations require us to make judgments that are often difficult. Yet the Savior gave the commandment to “judge not” our fellowman. How can we do this and still exercise good judgment in a world full of deception and corruption? We must judge well when making critical decisions in each phase of our life, such as choosing friends, finding an eternal companion, or choosing an occupation that will allow us to care for our family and serve the Lord. Although the Savior asked us not to judge others, He still expects us to use excellent judgment. We may often find ourselves making quick judgments about people, which can change or redefine our relationships with them. Often incorrect judgments are made because of limited information or because we do not see beyond that which is immediately in front of us.

By way of illustration, the story is often told of the time when Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha, who lived in Bethany with their brother, Lazarus. It was a welcome place for the Master, where He could rest and enjoy the surroundings of a righteous home. During one of His visits, Martha was busy preparing a meal and Mary elected to sit at the Master’s feet to receive His instruction. “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? … “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Many Sunday lessons have been taught using this story which have cast Martha in a lesser position in terms of her faith. Yet there is another story of this great woman, Martha, which gives us a deeper view of her understanding and testimony. It happened when the Savior arrived to raise her brother, Lazarus, from the dead. On this occasion it was Martha whom we find going to Jesus “as soon as she heard” He was coming. As she meets Him, she says that she knows that “whatsoever [He would] ask of God, God [would] give [Him].” Christ then shared with Martha the great doctrine of the resurrection, saying: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” She responded with her powerful testimony: “Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

How often has Martha been misjudged as being a person who cared more for the deeds of doing than for the Spirit? However, her testimony in the trial of her brother’s death clearly shows the depth of her understanding and faith. Many a sister has often heard the first story and wondered if she were a Mary or a Martha, yet the truth lies in knowing the whole person and in using good judgment. By knowing more about Martha, we find she was actually a person of deep spiritual character who had a bold and daring testimony of the Savior’s mission and His divine power over life. A misjudgment of Martha may have caused us not to know the true nature of this wonderful woman.

It is my hope that as we move through this month, we will be loving to those around us and be careful not to judge them. As we show forth more love, more will return to us. It is a never ending circle.

Love to you,

Pat Romney

“Those lazy days of summer…” Are you kidding?!
For most of us summer is a busy time. It certainly has been for me. And there’s only one more week left before I head back to teaching school. In fact, summer has been so busy that I just this week was able to get through the June Ensign. It was full of treasures, but I want to share two gems:

1. In John C. Thomas’s article, he recounted a dream Brigham Young had in which Joseph repeated three times the counsel “Don’t be in a hurry.” President Young later advised, “Stop! Wait! When you get up in the morning, before you suffer yourselves to eat one mouthful of food,…bow down before the Lord, ask him to forgive your sins, and protect you through the day, to preserve you from temptation and all evil, to guide your steps aright, that you may do something that day that shall be beneficial to the kingdom of God on the Earth.” Like tithing stretches dollars to go farther, prayer can stretch hours to go farther. Stop. Pray. Find joy. How long does it take to smell a rose?

2. There was a quote from President Hinckley: “We must strengthen ourselves and our people to get our teachers to speak out of their hearts…to communicate their love for the Lord and their precious work, and somehow it will catch fire in the hearts of those they teach.” When we teach from our hearts--share experiences, struggles and victories, testimonies—the Spirit carries the truth of the gospel into the hearts of those who hear, strengthening their faith and helping heal their wounds

Have a great August.

Love,
Maria Standiford
1st Counselor